Cateye TL-LD1100
Rear blinky lights are key for night riding safety, and Cateye has been producing them as long as anyone. A couple of years back they released the TL-LD1100, a larger than average rear blinky light with 10 high powered LEDs.
I’ve had this particular light zip tied to my messenger bag for some time now and have been impressed with its brightness and durability. Powered by two AA batteries, the 10 LEDs are divided into two rows of 5, each controlled with their own switch featuring constant and a few flashing modes and are bright enough to see in daylight. The plastic housing feels solid and is heavy enough, and the battery closure stays shut - after plenty of abuse and drops on the ground it has not cracked and has yet to puke batteries like so many other blinkys do when rubbed wrong. It has also proven waterproof, as I’ve yet to experience it going dark in a downpour. Unfortunately, like most lights out there the stock mounting system isn’t really adequate, especially considering the $30 price. Zip ties do a far better job, and the raised nubs of the LED’s provide perfect channels to hold tight. Battery life is claimed to be around 100 hours on blinking, and while I haven’t measured it, I can say that the AA batteries seem to last longer than my lowered powered, AAA blinkys on other bikes. All said, after a couple of years of continuous use this light is still going strong with no signs of quitting. Highly recommended.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I have three of these. They are, quite simply, the best AA/AAA powered rear blink lights on the market. I bought my first one back in 2005 and it’s on only it’s second pair of batteries. I use Energizer Lithiums and the extra juice keeps the lights brighter much longer.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
How does the LD1100 compare to the LD1000? They look identical.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Sadly my experience seems in complete contrast to the above, it seems temperamental at best flicking between the modes without any impetus from me then looking like the batteries are dying when they’re not. I used to use it as my back up on flashing mode but just ended up getting fed up with it and retiring it too the shed. Disappointing for a £30 light and as Brad hinted at like so many lights the mount aint up to much.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I also have one of these, and I think it’s a terrible light given the cost. It’s not especially bright, and the long off-center clip is, as you mentioned, terrible.
The Planet Bike Superflash is _the_ best AA/AAA powered rear light out there.
http://www.rei.com/product/756360
Comes with great mounting hardware too.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Look for a review of the Planet Bike Superflash soon… But as a sneak preview, I find the mounting system no better than anything else out there, and I’ve had the Superflash puke batteries all over the ground as its split case popped open over a pothole. It is really bright however.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
IMHO, all lights should be compared to the superflash.
I havnet had my pop open before, but it seems like that could be solved with some electrical tape around the housing.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
+1 on the superflash. It’s been good to me. Although, I must disagree with brad. I had one of my superflashes rocket right out of the mounting hardware, never to be seen again. Now it’s either on my bag or on my helmet.
April 5th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I have two of these. One on my everyday commuter and one on my Xtracycle. I commute all winter long and get plenty of after dark riding in as well as lots of fog from living next to Lake Superior. This light is the brightest I’ve used. Nothing else comes close. It not only gets me noticed by other users on the road, but it grabs their attention. I especially like the side mounted LED’s. I use it in extreme cold with rechargeable batteries. They last over a month with daily use in below zero weather. The rain with 40 mph wind gusts off Lake Superior don’t penetrate the light. It’s the only blinky that has withstood our local weather. The first one I bought has been on the bicycle for two and half years and covered 15,000 miles. I recommend it to everybody I can.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I have one of these and it is bright. I also have another Cateye light with a single row of five lights. It’s just as bright, except as I mentioned, it only has a single row of lights. It looks cooler though. And it’s only about $19.00. The mount is crappy however like most of the others.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
the SuperFlask is great, but my favorites have to be the SL-LD100, with bungee cord set up its easy to keep on a bag, helmet, any saddle rails, ankle, frame, hub, dog collar, or PBR can.
Best light i have used ever. Its even waterproof to 50 meters, you can throw it in traffic with out worrying about it popping open, ever.
through i have noticed a few people using them very oddly, by tying knots in the cord, not how i’d do it but whatever.
http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/273
April 28th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I have been using one of these for about 3 years now and I love it- but like the reviews say the mount is inadequate. And I paid 40.00 for mine! I’ve since designed a strap to wear this up on my back, as a light too low is not well seen up close, but when I used to clip it on my trunk bag every time I hit a good bump it would go bouncing down the street. such an expensive light should have a better mounting device.
Btw, I emailed cateye about the mount and got no reply.
I like the suggestion of using zip ties to secure the light to a bag. Hope Cateye is paying attention.